GDP ERDDAP Metrics

As of: July 15, 2024


Data from Global Drifter Program (GDP) buoys, as well as products derived from GDP buoys, is available in various formats via the AOML GDP ERDDAP™.


For instructions on how to navigate the ERDDAP™ server, establish machine to machine (m2m) requests, and customize your data request, visit 6-Hour Interpolated Data Request Instructions. For additional resources and step-by-step guidance, visit the AOML GDP ERDDAP™ Tutorial on


With the growing importance for strong data management principles, Samantha Ouertani's 'An Overview of the Global Drifter Program's ERDDAP™ Server: From Set-up to Metrics' seminar detailing the benefits of the Global Drifter Program's ERDDAP™ server is available on . For those interested in establishing an ERDDAP™ server, reference the presentation for great insight, links, and additional resources!

GDP monthly metrics report is also available in .pdf format here.


ERDDAP™ Dashboard


Total Number of Downloads:
(since June 2023)

13,176


Total Number of Unique Users:
(since June 2023)

962


Total Downloads by Dataset/Product
(since June 2023)





Previous Month Downloads by Day



Previous Year Downloads By Month





Downloads by Location
(since June 2023)







Total Downloads by File Type
(since June 2023)




GDP Dashboard Metrics



Number of Drifters:
(since 1979)

27,974 drifters

Buoy Years of GDP Data:
(since 1979)

32,653.4 years

Buoy Years - Drogue On:
(since 1979)

21,365 years



GDP Array Evolution:

Global Drifter Coverage:


Deployments by Drifter Type:
(since 1979)

Standard Drifter - 17,157
with Barometer - 12,192
with Wind - 590
with Wave - 383
with Salinity - 279
with Optics - 11

GDP Collaborators:
(Deployments by Country)
(since 1987 - where known)



Total Drifter Deployments:
(since 1979)
(Including FODs, re-deployments, transmitted
but failed (i.e., <3days of data), etc.)

29,950

Failed on Deployment (FOD):
(since 1979)

1,106

Failed on Deployment %:

3.8%